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Sommaire du brevet 2239889 

Énoncé de désistement de responsabilité concernant l'information provenant de tiers

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Brevet: (11) CA 2239889
(54) Titre français: DECODEUR POUR SIGNAL CODE EN TREILLIS ALTERE PAR DES INTERFERENCES DANS UN MEME CANAL NTSC ET DU BRUIT BLANC
(54) Titre anglais: DECODER FOR A TRELLIS ENCODED SIGNAL CORRUPTED BY NTSC CO-CHANNEL INTERFERENCE AND WHITE NOISE
Statut: Durée expirée - au-delà du délai suivant l'octroi
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • H3D 1/04 (2006.01)
  • H3K 5/02 (2006.01)
  • H3M 13/23 (2006.01)
  • H4B 1/10 (2006.01)
  • H4L 25/08 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • WILLMING, DAVID A. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(73) Titulaires :
  • ZENITH ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
(71) Demandeurs :
  • ZENITH ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(74) Agent: MCCARTHY TETRAULT LLP
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré: 2004-03-30
(86) Date de dépôt PCT: 1997-10-06
(87) Mise à la disponibilité du public: 1998-04-23
Requête d'examen: 2000-11-14
Licence disponible: S.O.
Cédé au domaine public: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Oui
(86) Numéro de la demande PCT: PCT/US1997/017951
(87) Numéro de publication internationale PCT: US1997017951
(85) Entrée nationale: 1998-06-05

(30) Données de priorité de la demande:
Numéro de la demande Pays / territoire Date
08/729,611 (Etats-Unis d'Amérique) 1996-10-11

Abrégés

Abrégé français

Un récepteur, permettant de décoder des données codées émises par une station émettrice, comprend (i) des filtres de sommation (50) et de soustraction (46), qui filtrent les données codées (R(n)) et produisent des sorties de sommation (V(n)) et de soustraction (U(n)) filtrées correspondantes; (ii) un premier et un second amplificateur à gain variable (54, 56), qui commandent les sorties de sommation et de soustraction filtrées, de façon à produire des sorties de sommation et de soustraction filtrées commandées qui varient en continu afin de supprimer les interférences dans un même canal et le bruit blanc gaussien dans les données codées; et (iii) un décodeur de Viterbi (58), qui décode les sorties de sommation et de soustraction filtrées commandées afin de récupérer les données non codées.


Abrégé anglais


A receiver for decoding
encoded data transmitted by a
transmitting station including (i) sum
(50) and difference (46) filters for
filtering the encoded data (R(n))
and providing corresponding sum
(V(n)) and difference (U(n)) filtered
outputs, (ii) first and second
variable amplifiers (54 and 56) for
respectively controlling the sum and
difference filtered outputs so as to
provide corresponding sum and
difference controlled filtered outputs
that vary along a continuum in order
to suppress co-channel interference
and white Gaussian noise in the
encoded data, and (iii) a Viterbi
decoder (58) for decoding the sum and
difference controlled filtered output
to recover uncoded data.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


25
CLAIMS
1. A receiver for decoding noisy encoded data received
from a transmitting station, the receiver comprising:
a) filtering means for variably filtering co-channel
interference and noise in the encoded data dependent upon
relative amounts of co-channel interference and noise in the
encoded data, wherein the filtering means includes first and
second filters, wherein the first filter is a comb filter
arranged to filter co-channel interference, and wherein the
second filter is arranged to filter noise; and,
b) decoding means for decoding the filtered encoded data.
2. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the filtering means
comprises:
filter controlling means for controlling relative amounts
of filtering performed by the first and second filters
dependent upon the relative amounts of co-channel interference
and noise in the encoded data.
3. The receiver of claim 2 wherein the first and second
filters have an input and corresponding first and second
outputs, wherein the input of the first and second filters is
arranged to receive the encoded data, wherein the filter
controlling means comprises first and second filter controls,
wherein the first filter control is between the first output
and the decoding means, and wherein the second filter control
is between the second output and the decoding means.
4. The receiver of claim 3 wherein the filter controlling
means comprises:
first level setting means for variably setting a level of
control of the first filter control; and,
second level setting means for variably setting a level
of control of the second filter control;

25
wherein the level of control of the first filter control
and the level of control of the second filter control are
relatively varied by the first and second level setting means.
5. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the filtering means
comprises:
a delay element having an input and an output, wherein
the input of the delay element receives the encoded data, and
wherein the output of the delay element provides delayed
encoded data;
wherein the first filter comprises a first summer having
first and second inputs and an output, wherein the first input
of the first summer receives the encoded data, wherein the
second input of the first summer receives the delayed encoded
data, and wherein the output of the first summer provides a
difference between the encoded data and the delayed encoded
data; and,
wherein the second filter comprises a second summer
having first and second inputs and an output, wherein the
first input of the second summer receives the encoded data,
wherein the second input of the second summer receives the
delayed encoded data and wherein the output of the second
summer provides a sum of the encoded data and the delayed
encoded data.
6. The receiver of claim 5 wherein the filtering means
comprises first and second variable gain amplifiers, wherein
the first variable gain amplifier is between the output of the
first summer and the decoding means, and wherein the second
variable gain amplifier is between the output of the second
summer and the decoding means.
7. The receiver of claim 6 wherein the filtering means
comprises gain setting means for variably setting a gain of

27
the first variable gain amplifier relative to a gain of the
second variable gain amplifier so as to variably filter co-
channel interference and noise in the encoded data.
8. The receiver of claim 7 wherein the delay element is a
first delay element, and wherein the gain setting means
comprises:
a second delay element having an input and an output,
wherein the input of the delay element receives a transmitted
training signal, and wherein the output of the delay element
provides a delayed transmitted training signal;
a third summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the third summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of
the third summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the third summer provides a
difference between the transmitted training signal and the
delayed transmitted training signal;
a fourth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the fourth summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of
the fourth summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the fourth summer provides a
sum of the transmitted training signal and the delayed
transmitted training signal;
a fifth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the fifth summer receives a
reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
fifth summer receives the difference between the transmitted
training signal and the delayed transmitted training signal,
and wherein the output of the fifth summer provides a first
error representative of interference and noise in the
transmitted training signal;

28
a sixth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the sixth summer receives
the reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
sixth summer receives the sum of the transmitted training
signal and the delayed transmitted training signal, and
wherein the output of the sixth summer provides a second error
representative of interference and noise in the transmitted
training signal;
means for determining an average power P u of the first
error;
means for determining an average power P v of the second
error;
means for determining a substantial maximum value .theta. based
upon the following equation:
<IMG> for 0 ~ 0 ~ .pi./2 ,
and;
means for determining the gains of the first and second
variable gain amplifiers based upon .theta..
9. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the decoding means
comprises a Viterbi decoder, wherein the Viterbi decoder is
arranged to g~nerate branch metrics for each subset of a
plurality of subsets according to a trellis, wherein each
subset contains points corresponding to possible transitions
of the encoded data, and wherein the trellis determines paths
defined by the possible transitions of the encoded data.
10. The receiver of claim 9 wherein the filtering means
comprises:

29
filter controlling means for controlling relative amounts
of filtering performed by the first and second filters
dependent upon the relative amounts of co-channel interference
and noise in the encoded data.
11. The receiver of claim 10 wherein the first and second
filters have an input and corresponding first and second
outputs, wherein the input of the first and second filters is
arranged to receive the encoded data, wherein the filter
controlling means comprises first and second filter controls,
wherein the first filter control is between the first output
and the Viterbi decoder, and wherein the second filter control
is between the second output and the Viterbi decoder.
12. The receiver of claim 11 wherein the filter
controlling means comprises:
first level setting means for variably setting a level of
control of the first filter control; and,
second level setting means for variably setting a level
o~ control of the second filter control;
wherein the level of control of the first filter control and
the level of control of the second filter control are
relatively varied by the first and second level setting means.
13. The receiver of claim 9 wherein the filtering means
comprises:
a delay element having an input and an output, wherein
the input of the delay element receives the encoded data, and
wherein the output of the delay element provides delayed
encoded data;
wherein the first filter comprises a first summer having
first and second inputs and an output, wherein the first input
of the first summer receives the encoded data, wherein the
second input of the first summer receives the delayed encoded

30
data, and wherein the output of the first summer provides a
difference between the encoded data and the delayed encoded
data; and,
wherein the second filter comprises a second summer
having first and second inputs and an output, wherein the
first input of the second summer receives the encoded data,
wherein the second input of the second summer receives the
delayed encoded data, and wherein the output of the second
summer provides a sum of the encoded data and the delayed
encoded data.
14. The receiver of claim 13 wherein the filtering means
comprises first and second variable gain amplifiers, wherein
the first variable gain amplifier is between the output of the
first summer and the Viterbi decoder, and wherein the second
variable gain amplifier is between the output of the second
summer and the Viterbi decoder.
15. The receiver of claim 14 wherein the filtering means
further comprises gain setting means for variably setting a
gain of the first variable gain amplifier relative to a gain
of the second variable gain amplifier so as to variably filter
co-channel interference and noise in the encoded data.
16. The receiver of claim 15 wherein the delay element is
a first delay element, and wherein the gain setting means
comprises:
a second delay element having an input and an output,
wherein the input of the delay element receives a transmitted
training signal, and wherein the output of the delay element
provides a delayed transmitted training signal;
a third summer having first and second inputs and an output,
wherein the first input of the third summer receives the
transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of 30

31
the third summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the third summer provides a
difference between the transmitted training signal and the
delayed transmitted training signal;
a fourth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the fourth summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of
the fourth summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the fourth summer provides a
sum of the transmitted training signal and the delayed
transmitted training signal;
a fifth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the fifth summer receives a
reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
fifth summer receives the difference between the transmitted
training signal and the delayed transmitted training signal,
and wherein the output of the fifth summer provides a first
error representative of interference and noise in the
transmitted training signal;
a sixth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the sixth summer receives
the reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
sixth summer receives the sum of the transmitted training
signal and the delayed transmitted training signal, and
wherein the output of the sixth summer provides a second error
representative of interference and noise in the transmitted
training signal;
means for determining an average power P u of the first
error;
means for determining an average power P v of the second
error;
means for determining a substantially maximum value .theta.
based upon the following equation:

32
<IMGS> for 0 ~ 0 ~ .pi./2
and;
means for determining the gains of the first and second
variable gain amplifiers based upon .theta..
17. A receiver for decoding noisy encoded data
transmitted by a transmitting station, the receiver
comprising:
a) a first filter, wherein the first filter has an input
to receive the encoded data, wherein the first filter is a
difference filter, and wherein the first filter has a first
output to provide first filtered encoded data corresponding to
a difference between the encoded data and delayed encoded
data;
b) a second filter, wherein the second filter has an
input to receive the encoded data, wherein the second filter
is a sum filter, and wherein the second filter has a second
output to provide second filtered encoded data corresponding
to a sum of the encoded data and the delayed encoded data;
and,
c) decoding means for decoding the first and second
filtered encoded data.
18. The receiver of claim 17 wherein the first and second
filters comprise first and second controlling means for
controlling the first filtered encoded data provided by the
first output of the first filter relative to the second
filtered encoded data provided by the second output of the
second filter in accordance with interference and noise in the
encoded data.

33
19. The receiver of claim 17 comprising first and second
variable gain amplifiers, wherein the first and second
variable gain amplifiers are arranged to control the first
filtered encoded data provided by the first output of the
first filter relative to the second filtered encoded data
provided by they second output of the second filter in
accordance with interference and noise in the encoded data.
20. The receiver of claim 19 comprising gain setting
means for variably setting a gain of the first variablegain
amplifier relative to a gain of the second variable gain
amplifier so as to control the first filtered encoded data
provided by the first output of the first filter relative to
the second filtered encoded data provided by the second output
of the second filter in accordance with interference and noise
in the encoded data.
21. The receiver of claim 20 wherein the gain setting
means comprises:
a delay element having an input and an output, wherein
the input of the delay element receives a transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the delay element provides a
delayed transmitted training signal;
a first summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the first summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of
the first summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the first summer provides a
difference between the transmitted training signal and the
delayed transmitted training signal;
a second summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the second summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of
the second summer receives the delayed transmitted training

33a
signal, and wherein the output of the second summer provides a
sum of the transmitted training signal and the delayed
transmitted training signal;
a third summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the third summer receives a
reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
third summer receives the difference between the transmitted
training signal and the delayed transmitted training signal,
and wherein the output of the third summer provides a first
error representative of interference and noise in the
transmitted training signal;
a fourth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the fourth summer receives
the reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
fourth summer receives the sum of the transmitted training
signal and the delayed transmitted training signal, and
wherein the output of the fourth summer provides a second
error representative of interference and in the transmitted
training signal;
means for determining an average power P u of the first
error;
means for determining an average power P v of the second
error;
means for determining a substantially maximum value .theta.
based upon the following equation:
<IMG>
and;
means for determining the gains of the first and second
variable gain amplifiers based upon .theta..

33b
22. The receiver of claim 17 wherein the decoding means
comprises a Viterbi decoder, wherein the Viterbi decoder is
arranged to generate branch metrics for each subset of a
plurality of subsets according to a trellis, wherein each
subset contains points corresponding to possible transitions
of the encoded data, and wherein tile trellis determines paths
defined by the possible transitions of the encoded data.
23. The receiver of claim 22 wherein the first and second
filters comprise first and second controlling means for
controlling the first filtered encoded data provided by the
first output of the first filter relative to the second
filtered encoded data provided by the second output of the
second filter in accordance with interference and noise in the
encoded data.
24. The receiver of claim 22 wherein the first filter
comprises a first variable gain amplifier, wherein the second
filter comprises a second variable gain amplifier, wherein the
first and second variable gain amplifiers are arranged to
control the first filtered encoded data provided by the first
output of the first filter relative to the second filtered
encoded data provided by the second output of the second
filter in accordance with interference and noise in the
encoded date.
25. The receiver of claim 24 further comprising gain
setting means for variably setting a gain of the first
variable gain amplifier relative to a gain of the second
variable gain amplifier so as to control the first filtered
encoded data provided say the first output of the first filter
relative to the second filtered encoded data provided by the
second output of the second filter in accordance with
interference and noise in the encoded data.

33c
26. The receiver of claim 25 wherein the gain setting
means comprises:
a delay element having an input and an output, wherein
the input of the delay element receives a transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the delay element provides a
delayed transmitted training signal;
a first summer having first and first inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the first summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the first input of
the first summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the first summer provides a
difference between the transmitted training signal and the
delayed transmitted training signal;
a second summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the second summer receives
the transmitted training signal, wherein the second input of
the second summer receives the delayed transmitted training
signal, and wherein the output of the second summer provides a
sum of the transmitted training signal and the delayed
transmitted training signal;
a third summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the third summer receives a
reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
third summer receives the difference between the transmitted
training signal and the delayed transmitted training signal,
and wherein the output of the third summer provides a first
error representative of interference and noise in the
transmitted training signal;
a fourth summer having first and second inputs and an
output, wherein the first input of the fourth summer receives
the reference training signal, wherein the second input of the
fourth summer receives the sum of the transmitted training
signal and the delayed transmitted training signal, and
wherein the output of the fourth summer provides a second

33d
error representative of interference and noise in the
transmitted training signal;
means for determining an average power P u of the first
error;
means for determining an average power P v of the second
error;
means for determining a substantially maximum value .theta.
based upon the following equation:
<IMGS>
and;
means for determining the gains of the first and second
variable gain amplifiers based upon .theta..
27. A receiver for decoding encoded data transmitted by a
transmitting station, the receiver comprising:
a) first and second filtering means for filtering the
encoded data and for providing corresponding first and second
filtered outputs;
b) controlling means for relatively controlling the first
and second filtered outputs so as to provide corresponding
first and second relatively controlled filtered outputs in
order to suppress co-channel interference and noise in the
encoded data; and,
c) decoding means for decoding the first and second
relatively controlled filtered outputs.
28. The receiver of claim 27 wherein the first and second
filters comprise.
delaying means for delaying the encoded data;

33e
subtracting means for subtracting the delayed encoded
data from the encoded data in order to provide the first
filtered output; and,
summing means for summing the encoded data and the
delayed encoded data in order to provide the second filtered
output.
29. The receiver of claim 28 wherein the controlling
means comprises:
a first variable gain amplifier connected to an output of
the first filter;
a second variable gain amplifier connected to an output
of the second filter; and,
gain setting means for variably setting a first gain of
the first variable gain amplifier relative to a second gain of
the second variable gain amplifier so as to variably suppress
co-channel interference and noise in the encoded data.
30. The receiver of claim 29 wherein the gain setting
means comprises:
first gain determining means for determining the first
gain based upon a transmitted training signal and a reference
training signal; and,
second gain determining means for determining the second
gain based upon the transmitted training signal and the
reference training signal.
31. The receiver of claim 27 wherein the decoding means
comprises a viterbi decoder, wherein the Viterbi decoder is
arranged to generate branch metrics for each subset of a
plurality of subsets according to a trellis, wherein each
subset contains points corresponding to possible transitions
of the encoded data, and wherein the trellis determines paths
defined by the possible transitions of the encoded data.

33f
32. The receiver of claim 31 wherein, the first and second
filters comprise:
a delay element having an input and an output, wherein
the input of the delay element receives the encoded data, and
wherein the output of the delay element provides delayed
encoded data;
subtracting means for subtracting the delayed encoded
data from the encoded data in order to provide the first
filtered output; and,
summing means for summing the encoded data and the
delayed encoded data in order to provide the second filtered
output.
33. The receiver of claim 32 wherein the controlling
means comprises:
a first variable gain amplifier connected to an output of
the first filter;
a second variable gain amplifier connected to an output
of the second filter; and,
gain setting means for variably setting a first gain of
the first variable gain amplifier relative to a second gain of
the second variable gain amplifier so as to variably suppress
relative amounts of co-channel interference and noise in the
encoded data.
34. The receiver of claim 33 wherein the gain setting
means comprises:
first gain determining means for determining the first
gain based upon a transmitted training signal and a reference
training signal; and,
second gain determining means for determining the second
gain based upon the transmitted training signal and the
reference training signal.

33g
35. A receiver for encoding encoded data transmitted by a
transmitting station, the receiver comprising:
a co-channel interference filter being arranged to filter
co-channel interference from the encoded data;
a noise filter being arranged to filter noise from the
encoded data;
a controller being arranged to relatively control the co-
channel interference filter and the noise filter so as
relatively filter out co-channel interference and noise from
the encoded data; and,
a decoder being arranged to decode the relatively
filtered encoded data.
36. The receiver of claim 35 further comprising a delay
element, wherein the delay element is arranged to delay the
encoded data, wherein the co-channel interference filter
comprises the delay element and a subtractor, wherein the
subtractor is arranged to subtract the delayed encoded data
from the encoded data, wherein the noise filter comprises the
delay element and a summer, and wherein the summer is arranged
to sum the delayed encoded data and the encoded data.
37. The receiver of claim 36 wherein delay element
comprises first and second delay elements.

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 02239889 1998-06-OS
WO 98/16996 PCT/US97/17951
1
DECODER FOR A TRELLIS ENCODED SIGNAL CORRUPTED
BY NTS - ANNFT TNTERFFRF'Nf''F ATCTTj WHTTF NC1T~F
The present invention relates to decoding of a
trellis encoded signal corrupted with colored noise.
A current implementation of an 8 VSB receiver
for HDTV relies upon a switchable comb filter in order to
reject co-channel interference, such as co-channel NTSC
interference, that may be present, for example, in the
fringe reception areas of an ATV service area. Thus,
when co-channel NTSC interference is detected, the comb
filter is made active (i.e., switched in) in order to
filter out the co-channel NTSC interference. When the
comb filter is active, decoding of the received data is
more complex than when the comb filter is inactive.
Accordingly, when co-channel NTSC interference is not
detected, the comb filter is made inactive (i.e.,
switched out) in order to provide optimum performance
against white Gaussian noise. The comb filter has been
shown to be a cost effective filter for the rejection of
co-ch nnel NTSC interference.
The use of such a switchable comb filter,
however, has several drawbacks. First, while the comb
filter is good at rejecting co-channel NTSC interference,
the presence of the comb filter degrades performance when
white Gaussian noise is present. Accordingly, when only
w co-channel NTSC interference is present, the comb filter
is an effective filter. When only white Gaussian noise
is present, however, the comb filter is made inactive.
When both co-channel NTSC interference and white Gaussian

CA 02239889 2003-06-19
2
noise are present, the comp filter is active such that a
substantial amount of white Gaussian noise is a114wed to
pass. Thus, the comb filter may not be an appropriate
filter under conditions of k~oth co-channel NTSC
interference and white Gaus:~ian noise.
An additional drawriack of the comb filter is
that it is a swit:chable fil~Ger such that zt is either
active or inaativs. The contxol circuitx-y that has been
developed which determine:3when to ;witch the comb filter
in or out is complicated a.nd can make incorrect
decisions.
The present inventio:~n is directed to an
adaptive decoder that adj7.~Cts appropriately Go the
relative amouxits of coaaharuxel NTSC interfera~nCe and
white Gaussiari noise, Thttc, the present invention
aohieves goad ps.rformance under conditions of both co-
charinel NTSC interference and white Gaussian noise.
In accordar~Ce with o:n~~ aspect of the present
invention, a receiver decoding noisy encoded data received
from a transmitting stat~..on compx-ises a filterin_q means
and a. decoding means. The fiJ~tering means variably
filters co-channel intexf.-°.e=ence and noise in the encoded
data dependent upon relative amounts of co-channel
interference and noise in the encoded data. The fiJ.tering
means includes first and second filters, where the first
filter is a comb filter :arranged tQ falter ca-channel
interference and the secc~rxc:: filter is arranged to filtex
noise. fuxther, the dec~~ding means decodes filtered
encoded data.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, a receiver for decoding noisy encoded data

CA 02239889 2003-06-19
2a
transmitted by a vransmitt.~'.rg station comprises a first
filter, a second filter, a'~'id a decoding meanss_ The first
filter has an input to receive the encoded data. The
first filter is a difference filter. Tl:e first filtex has
cofrespvnu~n~~ ,.t~ rrr~uide ~f i.rst filtered encoded data
delayed encoded data. The second filter has an input to
receive zhe encoded data. ''Che second filter is a sum
filter. The sect>nd filter has a second. output to provide
second filtexed encoded data corresponding to a sucri of the
encoded data and the delayed encoded data. The decoding
means decodes ths~ first z~x~.d second yiltered encoded data.
zn accordan<;e with yet. another aspect of the present
i.nventiQn, a rec~liver for decoding encoded data

CA 02239889 2003-06-19
transmitted by a transmitting station comprises a first
and second filtering means, a controlling means, and a
decoding means. The first and second filtering means
filter the encoded data anc3 provide corresponding first
and second filtered output:s,. The conrxolling means
relatively controls the first and second filtered outputs
so as to provide correspon.dzng first and secorzd relatively
controlled filtered outpur.s in order to suppress co-
aharmel interference and noise in the encoded data. The
decoding means d~scodes the first and second relatively
controJ.led filtered output s .
rn accordance with further yet another aspect of the
invention, a receiver for decoding encoded data
transmitted by a transm~.tri,ng station comprises a co-
channel interference filt~ex-, a noise filter, a controller,
and a decoder. The co-channel interference filter is
arranged to filter co-oharm.el interference from the
exicoded data. The noise filter is arranged to filer
noise from the ~:ncoded data. The controller is arranged
to relatively control the co-channel interference filter
and the noise f:~ltex so as relatively filter out co~
channel interference and noise from the encoded data. The
decoder is arranged to de::ccde the relatively f~.lt~ered
encoded data.
These and other feaMu.res and advantages of the
present invention will became more apparent from a.
dett~iled consideration of ~.he i.nveritic~zl when takez~ in
conjunction with, the drawings in whiCl~:
Figu~r~e 1 illustz:ates an example of a prior art

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precoder and trellis encoder which encodes data to be
decoded by the present invention; ,
Figure 2 illustrates an example of a prior art
comb filter and Viterbi decoder for filtering and
decoding data typically encoded by the precoder and
trellis encoder of Figure 2;
Figure 3 illustrates a filter and decoder
according to the present invention for filtering and
decoding data typically encoded by the precoder and
trellis encoder of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a composite constellation for
successive encoded data points and is useful in
explaining the present invention;
Figure 5 is the composite constellation of
Figure 4 which has been rotated in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
Figure 6 is the rotated composite constellation
of Figure 5 showing the effect of reduced gain along the
V(n) axis in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
Figure 7 is the rotated composite constellation
of Figure 5 showing the effect of zero gain along the
V(n) axis in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
Figure 8 illustrates a trellis encoder diagram
which is descriptive of the operation of the trellis
encoder of Figure 1;
Figure 9 illustrates the subset constellations
implemented by the Viterbi decoder of Figure 3;

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Figure 10 illustrates a trellis decoder diagram
,, which is descriptive of the operation of the Viterbi
decoder of Figure 3;
Figure 11 illustrates a diagram which is
descriptive of the decoding of the uncoded bit by the
Viterbi decoder of Figure 3;
Figure 12 illustrates the impact on the Figure
9 subset constellations when the gain along the V(n) axis
is set to zero;
Figure 13 illustrates a simplification of the
subset constellations of Figure 12; and,
Figure 14 illustrates an apparatus which may be
implemented in order to determine the gains for the
variable gain amplifiers of Figure 3.
Figure 1 illustrates an encoder 10 which may
be, for example, an 8 VSB encoder. The encoder 10
includes a precoder 12, a trellis encoder 14, and a
symbol mapper 16. The precoder l2 includes an adder 18
and a D bit delay element 20. The value "D'" is chosen to
match the delay of the interference rejecting comb filter
which is present in the receiver. The adder 18 is a MOD-
2 adder. The adder 18 receives a first input data bit
X2(n) of a data bit pair X2X1(n) and sums this first
input data bit X2(n) with the output of the adder 18 that
occurred D bits earlier. The output of the adder 18
t forms the intermediate bit Y2(n} which is provided as
output bit Z2(n) to the symbol mapper 16. The function
(n) denotes that an associated value is at discrete time
n.

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A second input data bit Xl(n) of the data bit
pair X2X1(n) is provided to the trellis encoder 14 which ,
includes an adder 22 and two D bit delay elements 24 and
26. The adder 22 is a MOD-2 adder. The trellis encoder
14 provides the second input data bit X1(n) as output bit
Z1(n) directly to the symbol mapper 16. The second input
data bit X1(n) is also provided to a first input of the
adder 22 of the trellis encoder 14. The output of the
adder 22 is connected to the D bit delay element 24. The
D bit delay element 24 delays the output of the adder 22
and supplies this delayed output as the output bit ZO(n)
to the symbol mapper 16. The delayed output of the D bit
delay element 24 is also connected back to the D bit
delay element 26. The output of the D bit delay element
26 is connected to a second input of the adder 22.
Accordingly, the input data bits X1(n) and X2(n) of the
bit pair X2X1(n) enter the encoder 10. The encoder 10
(i) differentially encodes the input data bit X2(n) as
the output bit Z2(n), (ii) passes the input data bit
X1(n) through as output bit Z1(n) without modification,
and (iii) convolutionally encodes the input data bit
X1(n) as the output bit ZO(n).
The symbol mapper 16 maps each set ofoutput
bits Z2Z1Z0(n) as a corresponding symbol S(n). Each
symbol S(n) can have, therefore, one of eight possible
signal levels. The symbols S(n) are then transmitted in
a conventional manner through a transmission channel
where they may pick up co-channel NTSC interference and
white Gaussian noise before they are received by a

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receiver as received symbols R(n).
The D bit delay elements 20, 24, and 26 shown
in Figure 1 represent, for example, twelve bit time
delays (i.e., D is twelve). As described above, the
information bits X2Xl(n) are differentially and
convolutionally encoded as symbols. These symbols are
spaced by multiples of D (where D may be, for example,
twelve). Accordingly, the encoded bit stream, in effect,
consists of twelve independently encoded data streams. A
decoder must decode these encoded data streams
independently of each other.
Figure 1 also includes a supplemental state
variable Q2(n) which represents the previous value of
Y1 (n) such that Q2 (n) - YI (n - D) . The value Q2 (n) does
not actually exist in the encoder 10 and it does not
impact the operation of the encoder 10. The value Q2(n)
is merely a convenient notation for the subsequent
description of the present invention.
A receiver, which includes a Viterbi decoder
28, a switch 30, and a comb filter 32, receives the
transmitted symbols R(n). The Viterbi decoder 28 decodes
the received symbols R(n) to recover the original bit
pair X2X1(n). The switch 30 detects the presence of co-
channel NTSC interference. If co-channel NTSC
interference is present, the switch 30 moves to its upper
position in order to connect the comb filter 32 to the
Viterbi decoder 28 so that the comb filter 32 filters the
' received symbols R(n).
The comb filter 32 includes a summer 34 and a D

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symbol delay element 36. The summer 34 has a first input
which receives the symbols R(n) directly and a second ,
input which receives the symbols R(n) delayed by D symbol
times. The value of D determines the position and
quantity of the notches that the comb filter places in
the passband. A choice of D = 12 yields a set of notches
that are near the interfering NTSC visual, chroma, and
aural carriers. If the D symbol delay element 36 is a
twelve symbol delay element, the D bit delay elements 20,
24, and 26 of Figure 1 are twelve bit delay elements.
If co-channel NTSC interference is not detected
by the receiver, the switch 30 moves to its lower
position, where the received symbols R(n) are connected
directly to the Viterbi decoder 28.
Although the comb filter 32 shown in Figure 2
is effective at rejecting co-channel NTSC interference,
its performance is poor when both co-channel NTSC
interference and white Gaussian noise are present.
Furthermore, the circuitry that determines when to
actuate the switch 30 to switch in the comb filter 32 is
complicated and can occasionally make an incorrect
decision.
A decoder 40 of Figure 3 is more effective in
rejecting both co-channel NTSC interference and white
Gaussian noise, does not require a switching decision,
and does not add appreciably to the complexity of the .,
receiver. The decoder 40 includes a first filter 42 and a
second filter 44. The first filter 42, which is a '
difference filter, includes a summer 46 having a first

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9
input which receives the received symbols R(n) directly,
and a second input for receiving the received symbols
R(n) through a D symbol delay element 48. The D symbol
delay element 48 may impose a twelve symbol delay on the
received symbols R(n). The second filter 44, which is a
sum filter, includes a summer 50 having a first input
which receives the received symbols R(n) directly, and a
second input for receiving the received symbols R(n)
through a D symbol delay element 52. The D symbol delay
element 52 may also impose a twelve symbol delay on the
received symbols R(n).
The difference output of the first filter 42 is
designated U(n), and the sum output of the second filter
44 is designated V(n). The difference output U(n)
represents the difference between a symbol and a
corresponding symbol which, because of the D symbol delay
element 48, occurred D symbols earlier, such that U(n) -
R(n) - R(n - D). Similarly, the sum output V(n)
represents the sum of a symbol and a corresponding symbol
which, because of the D symbol delay element 52, occurred
D symbols earlier, such that V(n} - R(n} + R(n - D}. The
difference output U(n) is processed through a first
variable gain amplifier 54, and the sum output V(n) is
processed through a second variable gain amplifier 56.
The first variable gain amplifier 54 has a gain go, and
the second variable gain amplifier 56 has a gain g1.
Thus, the output of the first variable gain amplifier 54
' is goU(n), and the output of the second variable gain
amplifier 56 is g1V(n). The outputs of the first variable

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l0
gain amplifier 54 and of the second variable gain -
amplifier 56 are connected to a bank of D Viterbi
decoders 58. Each of the Viterbi decoders of the bank of
D Viterbi decoders 52 decodes one of the time interleaved
encoded streams using the outputs goU (n) and g1V (n) in
order to recover the corresponding input bit pair
X2X1 (n) .
The symbols R(n) which enter the decoder40 may
be corrupted by additive noise. The decoder 40 filters
the symbols R(n) with the first and second filters 42 and
44 to yield the difference and sum outputs U(n) and V(n).
The first and second variable gain amplifiers 54 and 56
apply the corresponding gains go and g1 to the difference
and sum outputs U(n) and V(n) in order to produce the
outputs goU(n) and g1V(n). The bank of D Viterbi decoders
58 extracts the information bits X1/X2(n) from the
outputs goU(n) and g1V (n) . The first filter 42 and the
second filter 44 may be either before or after the usual
equalizer and phase tracker (not shown) which are
conventional in an 8 VSB receiver.
As previously discussed, each symbol, which
results from mapping the output bits Z2Z1Z0(n). can take
on one of eight possible signal levels independently of
any other symbol. When two symbols (a symbol R(n) just
received and a symbol R(n - D) which was received D
symbol times before) are processed together by a comb .,
filter, a sixty-four point two-dimensional constellation,
which is illustrated, by way of example, in Figure 4, '
results. The symbol R(n) just received is shown along

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11
the horizontal axis of Figure 4, and the previously
received symbol R(n - D) is shown along the vertical
axis. Because each of these two symbols can take on
eight possible levels, the combination of these two
symbols processed together results in sixty-four possible
points as shown in Figure 4.
When the received symbols R(n) are corrupted
only by white Gaussian noise, the white Gaussian noise is
independent from sample-to-sample. Hence, the
distribution around each of the constellation points
shown in Figure 4 because of white Gaussian noise is
circularly symmetric. (That is, if the symbols are
paired in the manner described above and viewed on an
oscilloscope, the points would be fuzzy circles.)
When the received symbols R(n) are corrupted
only by co-channel NTSC interference, the co-channel NTSC
interference is not independent from sample-to-sample
and, in fact, there is a high correlation between symbols
spaced by twelve symbol times. Hence, the distribution
around each of the constellation points shown in Figure 4
because of co-channel NTSC interference is elliptical and
has a major axis aligned along the line defined by the
equation R (n - D) - R (n) .
When the received symbols R(n) are corrupted by
both co-channel NTSC interference and white Gaussian
noise, the distribution around each of the constellation
points shown in Figure 4 varies between elliptical and
' circular according to these relative amounts of co-
channel NTSC interference and white Gaussian noise.

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Because of the first filter 42 and the second
filter 44 of Figure 3, the sixty-four point two-
dimensional constellation of Figure 4 is rotated
counterclockwise by 45° to a new coordinate system as
shown in Figure 5. The difference output U(n} is now
along the horizontal axis, and the sum output V(n) is
along the vertical axis. The decoding algorithm
described herein operates directly using this rotated
two-dimensional constellation. It should be noted that
the techniques described here are different from multi-
dimensional trellis coding because the transmitted signal
is encoded as a one-dimensional constellation. The two-
dimensional constellation arises in this technique by
forming (overlapping) pairs of transmitted symbols in the
receiver.
The counterclockwise rotation of the sixty-four
point two-dimensional constellation of Figure 4 to the
new coordinate system shown in Figure 5 is fortuitous
because co-channel NTSC interference has also been
rotated by the same amount so that its major axis lies
along the vertical axis. That is, such a rotation is
useful because, if there is co-channel NTSC interference
present, the decoder 40 should put less weight on errors
in the V direction because such errors are known to be
noisy. Additionally, if only white Gaussian noise is
present, the noise distribution is circularly distributed ,
and consequently equal weight should be given by the
decoder 40 to errors in both the U(n) and V(n)
dimensions. Thus, the function of the gains go and g1 is

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13
to appropriately weight the errors at the outputs of the
first and second filters 42 and 44 according to the
changing co-channel NTSC interference and white Gaussian
noise conditions in order to put the correct weight on
the errors in each of the U(n) and V(n) dimensions.
Both of the gain values go and g1 are adjusted
in order to react to the co-channel NTSC interference and
white Gaussian noise statistics. Alternatively, the gain
value go may be fixed to unity and the gain value g1 may
be adjusted between 0.0 and 1.0 dependent upon the
relative amounts of co-channel NTSC interference and
white Gaussian noise. This simplification is appropriate
in those cases where only co-channel NTSC interference
and white Gaussian noise is assumed. If the interference
is a more general continuous wave interference having
unknown frequency or frequencies, then adjustment of both
gains is appropriate.
Figure 6 illustrates the impact that a change
in the gain value g1 has on the sixty-four point two-
dimensional constellation shown in Figure 5. As the gain
value g1 is reduced below 1.0, the sixty-four point two-
dimensional constellation is compressed in the v
dimension. At the optimal value of g1, interference around
each point in the sixty-four point two-dimensional
constellation is equal in both dimensions, and the branch
metrics of the bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 are based
upon the distances of the point UV(n) to each point in
'" the compressed constellation.
As the gain value g1 is reduced to zero, all

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14
points in the sixty-four point two-dimensional
constellation are projected onto the U(n) axis as shown
as Figure 7. Accordingly, the sixty-four point two-
dimensional constellation is condensed to a fifteen point
one-dimensional constellation. Under this condition, the
bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 makes its decisions based
solely upon the output of the first filter 42.
The trellis encoder diagram of Figure 8
describes the convolutional encoding process performed by
the trellis encoder 14 of Figure 1. The trellis encoder
diagram of Figure 8 shows the current state of the
trellis encoder 14 in column Q1Q0(n) and the resultant
next state of the trellis encoder 14 in column Q1Q0(n +
D). The transition from a state in column Q1Q0(n) to a
state in column Q1Q0(n + D) depends upon the intermediate
data bit Y1(n). The label Z1Z0(n) in Figure 8 shows
which of the four subsets (00, 01, 10, and 11) is
transmitted as a symbol. For example, if the current
state of the trellis encoder 14 is such that Q1Q0(n) -
00, and if Y1 (n) is 0, then Zl (n) is 0 because Y1 (n) is
0, ZO(n) is 0 because QO(n) is O, and Q1Q0(n + D) becomes
00. On the other hand, if the current state of the
trellis encoder 14 is such that Q1Q0(n) - 00, and if
Y1 (n) is 1, then Zl (n) is 1 because Y1 (n) is 1, Z0 (n) is
0 because QO(n) is 0, and Q1Q0(n + D) becomes 01.
The eight points of the constellation selected
by the combinations of the Z2Z1Z0(n) bits are partitioned
into four subsets, where each subset has the same Z1Z0(n) '
bits. For example, the subset Z1Z0(n) - 00 contains the

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points z2Z1Z0(n) - 000 and 100. The selection between
- these two points-in the subset Z1Z0(n) - 00 for
transmission is determined by the uncoded bit Z2(n) and
' is not shown in Figure 8. However, as is known, if Z2(n)
is zero, the point Z2Z1Z0(n) - 000 is selected and, if
Z2(n) is one, the point z2zlZ0(n) - 100 is selected.
The bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 (Figure 3)
performs its decoding operation using the outputs goU(n)
and g1V(n) of the corresponding first and second filters
42 and 44 based upon the sixteen subsets shown in Figure
9 of the sixty-four point two-dimensional constellation.
The sixteen subsets shown in Figure 9 are defined by the
sixteen possible combinations of the Z1Z0 output bits for
two symbol times n and n - D. The four rows of Figure 9
correspond to Z1Z0(n) - 00, O1, 10, and 11, and the four
columns of Figure 9 correspond to Z1Z0(n - D) - 00, 01,
10, and 11. The subsets are labeled in the upper right
hand corner as S0, S1, S2, . . . SF according to the
hexadecimal representation of bits Z1(n), ZO(n), Z1(n -
D) , and ZO (n - D) .
The sixteen subsets shown in Figure 9 form all
of the possible combinations of subsets that can occur
between two symbols. There are four subsets possible for
the current symbol [Z1Z0(n)], and there are four subsets
possible for the previous symbol [Z1Z0(n - D)]. For
example, if the previous subset is Z1Z0(n - D) - O1 and
the current subset is Z1Z0(n) - 10, then the output W (n)
" of the first and second filters 42 and 44 must lie in
subset S9 of the sixteen two-dimensional constellations.

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The bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 performs
decoding according to the subsets shown in Figure 9_and ,
the trellis decoder diagram shown in Figure 10. This
trellis decoder diagram is constructed by using the
trellis encoder diagram of Figure 8 augmented with the
state variable Q2(n) and the subsets of Figure 9. This
trellis decoder diagram of Figure 10 may be used by the
bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 in determining which of the
sixteen subsets results for each state transition (the
state transition is defined by the state Q2Q1Q0(n - D) of
the encoder 10). Accordingly, the bank of D Viterbi
decoders 58 has eight states, with each state
corresponding to the Q2Q1Q0 state bits of the encoder 10
shown in Figure 1. The state bit Q2 is simply used as
bookkeeping to keep track of the value of the previous
input data bit Y1(n - D). Accordingly, Figure 10 shows
the state transitions and associated subsets SO-SF of the
data that the bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 receives.
Using the trellis decoding diagram of Figure 10, the bank
of D Viterbi decoders 58 decodes the signals goU(n) and
g1V(n) in its normal fashion with the bank of Viterbi
decoders 58 generating branch metrics for each subset SO-
SF, using these branch metrics to update an accumulated
path metric for each decoder state, and maintaining a
survivor path associated with each state. The survivor
path having the lowest path metric is the path that gives ,
the decoded information bit X1(n) and the associated
subset (SO-SF). Generation of the branch metrics '
performed by the bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 is done by

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measuring the distances between each received point
(goU (n) , g1V (n) ) and the points in each subset of Figure 9
with each of these subsets scaled by the gains go and g1
- in the U(n) axis and the V(n) axis, respectively.
Alternatively, the branch metrics may be computed by
directly measuring the distance between the received
point (goU (n) , g1V (n) ) prior to scalingand each point in
the subsets of Figure 9 and by applying the gains go and
g1 to the U and V distance measurements appropriately.
As shown in Figure 9, each of the two-
dimensional subsets contains four points. Once the bank
of D Viterbi decoders 58 has determined which subset the
transmitted point lies in, the bank of D Viterbi decoders
58 uses that subset in order to find the differentially
encoded information bit X2. Which one of the four points
in this subset that is received is determined by the bit
Z2 (Figure 1) for the consecutive symbol pair
Z2(n)Z2(n-D). The decoding of the information bit X2 is
performed according to which of the four points in the
subset the recsi~red point goU (n) g1V (n) is nearest . The
four points of an arbitrary subset and the Z2(n)Z2(n - D)
bit values that correspond to each point are shown in
Figure 11. The four possible permutations of the
Z2(n)Z2(n - D) bits uniquely identify the point within a
subset. Thus, the decoding of the information bit X2 is
performed by determining which Euclidean distance between
the received point goU (n) g1V (n) and the four points
Z2(n)Z2(n - D) of the subset is shortest. The point
Z2(n}Z2(n - D) which is closest to the received point

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goU (n) g1V (n) determines the bit X2 (n) according to the
labeling shown in Figure 11.
Because of the differential encoding of the bit
X2, the upper and lower points both have a label X2(n) - -
0 and the left and right points both have a label X2(n) -
1. Accordingly, if one of the gain values go or g1 is
reduced to zero, the differentially encoded bit can still
be determined. For example, if g1 = 0, then the Z2(n)Z2(n
- D) - 11 and 00 points merge to a single point. On the
other hand, if go = 0, then the Z2(n)Z2(n - D) - O1 and 10
points merge to a single point. Fortunately, in each
case, each of the merged points has the same
corresponding X2(n) value. As a result, the decoding of
the X2 bit is performed correctly by the bank of D
Viterbi decoders 58 without catastrophic error
propagation.
When the gain parameter g1 is reduced to zero,
the bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 operates solely on the
difference filter output U(n). Figure 12 shows the
impact on the sixteen two-dimensional subsets as the gain
g1 is set to zero. The subsets SO-SF merge into one-
dimensional constellations. Accordingly, as can be seen
from Figure 12, there are only seven unique subsets which
are labeled (in the lower left hand corner) A, B1, B2,
C1, C2, D1, and D2 in Figure 12. Figure 13 shows the
seven subsets of the comb filter output constellation. ,
Thus, Figures 12 and l3 show that, when the first filter
42 is acting alone (without the second filter 4~), the ~
bank of D Viterbi decoders 58 operates identically to the

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procedure disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
08/272,181 filed on July 8, 1994.
Thus, the gain values go and g1 may be adjusted
- along a continuum from 0.0 to 1.0 depending upon the
relative amount of co-channel NTSC interference and white
Gaussian noise present in the received symbols R(n).
Consequently, instead of merely switching the first
filter 42 in and out depending upon the amount of co-
channel NTSC interference present, the first filter 42
and the second filter 44 are relatively adjusted
depending upon the relative amounts of co-channel NTSC
interference and Gaussian noise.
Figure 14 illustrates a gain setting
arrangement 60. The gain setting arrangement 60 sets the
gain values go and g1 by measuring the interference and
noise present in a training signal which is periodically
transmitted and which is received as a received training
signal TR(n). The training signal, before transmission,
is identical to an ideal reference training signal TS.
The training signal is generated by a transmitter and is
transmitted to the receiver which contains the decoder 40
and which receives the received training signal TR(n).
Along the transmission path between the transmitter and
the receiver, the transmitted training signal picks up
any co-channel NTSC interference and white Gaussian noise
that is present between the transmitter and the receiver.
The ideal reference training signal TS is generated
- locally by the receiver.
The ideal reference training signal TS is

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supplied to first and second summers 62 and 64 directly
and also to the first and second summers 62 and 64
through corresponding D symbol delay elements 66 and 68.
The output of the first summer 62, TU{n), represents the
difference between the reference training signal TS(n)
and the delayed reference training signal TR(n - D).
Accordingly, the output of the first summer 62, TU(n),
represents the ideal output U(n). The output of the
second summer 64, TV(n), represents the sum of the
reference training signal TS(n) and the delayed reference
training signal TS(n - D). Accordingly, the output of
the first summer 62, TV(n}, represents the ideal output
V(n}. The outputs of the first and second summers 62 and
64 are supplied to corresponding third and fourth summers
70 and 72.
The received training signal TR(n) is supplied
directly to fifth and sixth summers 74 and 76 and is also
supplied indirectly to the fifth and sixth summers 74 and
76 through corresponding D symbol delay elements 78 and
80. Theoutput of the fifth-summer 74 represents the
difference between the received training signal TR(n) and
the delayed received training signal TR(n - D). The
output of the sixth summer 76 represents the sum of the
received training signal TR(n) and the delayed received
training signal TR(n - D}. The output of the fifth
summer 74 is supplied to the third summer 70, and the .
output of the sixth summer 76 is supplied to the fourth
summer 72.
The error eU from the third summer 70 represents

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interference and noise along the U(n) axis picked up by
the transmitted training signal along the transmission
path. The error eU is squared by a squarer 82 and is
accumulated by an accumulator 84 so as to produce a
signal PU which represents the average power of the
interference and noise represented by the error eu. The
error eV from the fourth summer 62 represents interference
and noise picked up by the transmitted training signal
along the transmission path. The error e~ is squared by a
squarer 86 and is accumulated by an accumulator 88 so as
to produce a signal PV which represents the average power
of the interference and noise represented by the error eV.
The average powers PU and Pv are supplied to a
block 90 which determines a parameter 8. The parameter 8
is supplied to a block 92 which determines the weighting
of go as g~ = cosA and to a block 94 which determines the
weighting of g1 as g1 = sinA. As 8 varies from 0 to ~t/2,
the minimum distance of the trellis code changes
according to the following equation:
d 2 (8) = 9 - ~4cos28~ for D <_9 _< ~ . (1)
2
min
The minimum distance of a trellis code is a measure of
the coding gain of the convolutional code. The total
noise power at the output of the first and second
- variable gain amplifiers 54 and 56 is given by the
following expression:

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WO 98/16996 PCT/US97/17951
22
Nmr~ to ~ = Pu cos28 + Py sinZA . ( 2 ) .
The block 90 finds the value of 8 that maximizes the
following equation:
d 2 ~8 ~
min 9 - ~~cos28~
NyY)lilL ~ ~ ~ Pu cos28 + -py sin2e .for 0 < 8 _< 2 , . ( 3 )
Equation (3) balances the decrease in code gain as 8 is
varied against a reduction in output noise power. Under
a white noise only condition, PU and PV will be equal, and
equation (3) is maximized for 8 = ~/4. Consequently,
g" = cos8 = cos ~ --
4 2
and
g, = sin8 = sin ~ _ ~ ( 5 )
and the gains are equal in both the U and the V
dimensions. Under a more general interference condition,
where PU and PV are not equal, the block 90 finds the '
value of 8 that adjusts the relative gains go and g1 and
balances the minimum distance of the code against the
noise power in each dimension.

CA 02239889 1998-06-05
WO 98/16996 PCT/US97/17951
23
Accordingly, the gain values go and g1
relatively adjust the outputs of the first filter 42 and
the second filter 44, respectively, dependent upon
- relative amounts of co-channel NTSC interference and
white Gaussian noise picked up by the training signal
during its transmission to the receiver which
incorporates the gain setting arrangement 60. This
training signal, for example, may be the frame sync
portion of the conventional 8 VSB frame. Alternatively,
a decision directed algorithm may be implemented whereby
a sliced eight level signal, or a sliced U(n) and V(n),
are used to produce the TU(n) and TV(n) signals.
The first and second filters 42 and 44 are well
suited for co-channel NTSC interference because the
correlation of the interference has a peak at a delay of
D symbols (where D may be twelve for all delay elements
of Figures 1 and 3).
Certain modifications of the present invention
have been discussed above. Other modifications will
occur to those practicing in the art of the present
invention. For example, the present invention has been
described in terms of co-channel NTSC interference, which
is substantially ellipsoidal around the constellation
points, and white Gaussian noise, which is substantially
circular around the constellation points. However, it
should be understood that the present invention is useful
in terms of other interference, which is generally non-
circular around the constellation points, and to other
noise, which is generally circular around the constella-

CA 02239889 1998-06-OS
WO 98/16996 PCTlUS97/17951
24
tion points.
Also, filters, other than the first and second ,
filters 42 and 44 shown in Figure 3, may be used
dependent upon the noise statistics that are likely to be '
present. For example, filter pairs that are not exactly
sum and difference filters but provide for a slightly
different rotation of the coordinate axes may be used
where the noise statistics are different thanthose
described in relation to Figure 3.
Moreover, the present invention is disclosed in
terms of discrete components. These components may be
analog and/or digital components. Moreover, the
functions of these components may instead be performed in
a computer.
Furthermore, although separate D symbol delay
elements 48 and 52 are shown for the first and second
filters 42 and 44, respectively, the D symbol delay
elements 48 and 52 may be replaced by a single D symbol
delay element which delays the received symbols R(n) to
both of the summers 46 and 50.
Accordingly, the description of the present
invention is to be construed as illustrative only and is
for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the
best mode of carrying out the invention. The details may
be varied substantially without departing from the spirit
of the invention, and the exclusive use of all
modifications which are within the scope of the appended
claims is reserved. '

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Inactive : Périmé (brevet - nouvelle loi) 2017-10-06
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-12
Accordé par délivrance 2004-03-30
Inactive : Page couverture publiée 2004-03-29
Préoctroi 2004-01-07
Inactive : Taxe finale reçue 2004-01-07
Un avis d'acceptation est envoyé 2003-11-21
Lettre envoyée 2003-11-21
month 2003-11-21
Un avis d'acceptation est envoyé 2003-11-21
Inactive : Approuvée aux fins d'acceptation (AFA) 2003-10-27
Modification reçue - modification volontaire 2003-10-22
Lettre envoyée 2003-07-09
Requête en rétablissement reçue 2003-06-19
Exigences de rétablissement - réputé conforme pour tous les motifs d'abandon 2003-06-19
Exigences de prorogation de délai pour l'accomplissement d'un acte - jugée conforme 2003-02-26
Lettre envoyée 2003-02-26
Inactive : Regroupement d'agents 2003-02-05
Inactive : Abandon. - Aucune rép dem par.30(2) Règles 2003-01-31
Demande de prorogation de délai pour l'accomplissement d'un acte reçue 2003-01-31
Inactive : Dem. de l'examinateur par.30(2) Règles 2002-07-31
Lettre envoyée 2000-12-01
Exigences pour une requête d'examen - jugée conforme 2000-11-14
Toutes les exigences pour l'examen - jugée conforme 2000-11-14
Requête d'examen reçue 2000-11-14
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 1998-09-14
Symbole de classement modifié 1998-09-14
Inactive : CIB attribuée 1998-09-14
Inactive : CIB attribuée 1998-09-14
Inactive : Notice - Entrée phase nat. - Pas de RE 1998-08-20
Demande reçue - PCT 1998-08-18
Demande publiée (accessible au public) 1998-04-23

Historique d'abandonnement

Date d'abandonnement Raison Date de rétablissement
2003-06-19

Taxes périodiques

Le dernier paiement a été reçu le 2003-09-04

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Les taxes sur les brevets sont ajustées au 1er janvier de chaque année. Les montants ci-dessus sont les montants actuels s'ils sont reçus au plus tard le 31 décembre de l'année en cours.
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Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
ZENITH ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
DAVID A. WILLMING
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
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Description du
Document 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Dessin représentatif 1998-09-15 1 5
Description 2003-06-18 25 979
Revendications 2003-06-18 16 634
Revendications 2003-10-21 16 635
Description 1998-06-04 24 957
Abrégé 1998-06-04 1 45
Revendications 1998-06-04 13 422
Dessins 1998-06-04 8 222
Page couverture 1998-09-15 1 49
Page couverture 2004-02-25 1 40
Avis d'entree dans la phase nationale 1998-08-19 1 209
Courtoisie - Certificat d'enregistrement (document(s) connexe(s)) 1998-08-19 1 140
Rappel de taxe de maintien due 1999-06-07 1 112
Accusé de réception de la requête d'examen 2000-11-30 1 180
Courtoisie - Lettre d'abandon (R30(2)) 2003-04-13 1 167
Avis de retablissement 2003-07-08 1 168
Avis du commissaire - Demande jugée acceptable 2003-11-20 1 160
PCT 1998-06-04 12 454
Correspondance 2003-01-30 1 40
Correspondance 2003-02-25 1 19
Correspondance 2003-02-25 3 166
Taxes 2003-09-03 1 29
Correspondance 2004-01-06 1 27
Taxes 2001-09-26 1 33